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Chestnut Brussels Sprouts Two Ways - Beginner and Expert

YumSugar — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 04:00:35 -0800

Foie gras, crown roast, and fruitcake might dominate the holiday table, but that doesn't mean there isn't a place for dishes that are both festive and healthy. For a wholesome side dish, serve chestnuts, a classic Winter crop and Christmas favorite, tossed alongside brussel sprouts.

Chestnuts contain twice as much starch as potatoes, but they're low in fat, high in fiber, and possess a sweet, nutty flavor that pairs well with the slight bitterness of caramelized brussels sprouts. Sing along to Nat King Cole's "Christmas Song" as you toss already-roasted whole chestnuts into the simmer. Or, go the completely authentic route, buying fresh kernels and roasting them yourself. See both versions of a staple holiday side dish when you read more.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Sole With Lemon-Shallot Brussels Sprouts

YumSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:50:50 -0800

With an epic feast only a few days away, shun poultry (you'll be having it for days!) in favor of something on the opposite end of the flavor spectrum, such as a flaky white fish. Not only does sole make for a lighter dinner alternative and a great source of protein, but it's also extremely affordable. Keep the preparation super simple by dredging the fillets briefly in a mixture of flour, lemon, and white pepper, then pan-sauté in olive oil.

Serve with market-fresh Brussels sprouts that have been tossed with parsley and shallots. The resulting dish is straightforward, yet elegant. For the recipe, read more.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Baked Potatoes With Brussels Sprouts

partysugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:00:45 -0700

Although it takes an hour for a potato to bake, I still consider baked potatoes a quick and simple meal. Why? Because they require virtually no work. All you have to do is throw them in the oven and wait.

Because of the special and flavorful topping - bacon! Brussels sprouts! sour cream! - this recipe, however, involves a small amount of cooking.

It's worth the extra effort; with their veggie, pork, and dairy components, these loaded baked potatoes are a meal in themselves. To take a look at the recipe, read more.

Baked Potatoes With Brussels Sprouts
From Real Simple

Ingredients

4 large baking potatoes
12 slices bacon
8 to 10 fresh sage leaves, roughly torn
3/4 cup golden raisins
2 cups Brussels sprouts
1/2 cup sour cream
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 375° F.
Wash and dry the potatoes, then prick them all over with a fork. Set on middle rack of oven and bake 1 hour, or until the potatoes feel soft when gently squeezed and the skin is crispy.
In a medium frying pan, over medium heat, cook the bacon until just crisp. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
Discard all but 1/4 cup of the bacon fat and return the pan to the burner over medium heat. Add the sage and sauté until just sizzling. Add the raisins and Brussels sprouts and stir until warm.
Slice the top of each potato down the center lenghtwise and squeeze gently to loosen the inside. Spoon some of the Brussels sprout mixture over each potato and lay 3 slices of the bacon on top. Add a dollop of the sour cream to each and sprinkle with the salt and pepper.

Serves 4.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Pork Cutlets With Brussels Sprouts

partysugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:00:12 -0700

If you think you don't like Brussels sprouts, think again! The small leafy green vegetable is horribly misunderstood, but I assure you, when you give it a second chance you'll be amazed and delighted by the flavor.

Why not do so tonight with this recipe? The sprouts are served alongside lightly floured pork scaloppine. They're sautéed in butter before being tossed with a creamy, slightly sweet sauce. To check out the recipe, read more.

Pork Cutlets With Brussels Sprouts
From Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

4 1/2-inch-thick boneless pork chops
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp. paprika or smoked paprika
1 lb. Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
2 Tbsp. butter
1 8-oz. carton light sour cream
2 Tbsp. milk or half-and-half
1 tsp. packed brown sugar

Directions

Using meat mallet or heavy rolling pin pound pork, layered between plastic wrap, to 1/4-inch thickness. In shallow dish combine flour, half the paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Coat pork in flour mixture; set aside.
In large skillet cook sprouts in hot butter over medium-high 5 to 8 minutes, until crisp-tender and edges are brown. Remove from skillet. Cover and keep warm.
In same skillet add additional butter, if needed. Cook pork 4 to 5 minutes, turning once, until golden outside and slightly pink in center. Remove from skillet. Cover; keep warm.
For sauce, combine sour cream, milk, and brown sugar. Whisk into skillet. Heat through (do not boil). Serve sauce, sprinkled with remaining paprika, over pork and sprouts.

Serves 4.

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Hash It Out With Brussels Sprouts and Bacon

YumSugar — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:15:41 -0700

Everything tastes better with bacon and brussels sprouts are no exception. For some reason, I normally only have brussels sprouts at holidays meals, but this tasty vegetable beckons to be eaten more often.

With the cold front that came through San Francisco, it was a perfect weekend to test Tyler Florence's comforting brussels sprouts hash. The enticing recipe includes tender brussels sprouts, caramelized pearl onions, and crispy potatoes; the whole thing is topped with crunchy bacon and fresh parsley. A touch of briefly reduced balsamic vinegar finishes off the dish and provides a zingy bite that enhances the full, rich flavor of the hash. To get started on this scrumptious side dish, read more.

Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Hash
From Tyler Florence's Dinner at My Place

Ingredients

Extra-virgin olive oil
4 slices thick-cut bacon
4 fresh thyme sprigs
1 pound fingerling potatoes, cut lengthwise*
2 cups Brussels Sprouts, cut into thick slices
1/2 pound red or white pearl onions, peeled and cut in half
1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 bunch Italian flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped

Directions

Set a large saute pan over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Cut bacon into long, thin strips and add to pan with thyme. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes to render the fat. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel. Discard half of the fat in the pan.
To the remaining fat in the pan, add the potatoes and cook for one to two minutes. Add brussels sprouts and onions. Season with salt and pepper and cook until slightly browned. Add chicken broth and continue to cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until liquid has evaporated and vegetables are tender. Remove and discard thyme sprigs. Add vinegar and toss to coat. Cook until the vinegar has reduced.
Transfer to serving dish and fold in parsley and reserved bacon.

Serves 6-8 people.

*I substituted a yellow potatoes for fingerling potatoes, which I cut in 1-inch strips.

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In Season: Brussels Sprouts

YumSugar — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:00:29 -0800

I didn't grow up eating Brussels sprouts, and due to the vegetable's notorious reputation, I didn't think I was missing out on much. When I had my first bite of the vegetable a few years ago, I found that it wasn't bitter; rather, it was rich, sweet, and tender. I've been a devotee of the nutritious Brussels sprout ever since.

While Brussels sprouts are often available yearround, they're in their prime now: Peak season is from September to February. To find out what to look for, read more.

Choose firm, round, and heavy sprouts with leaves held tightly together.
Smaller heads have the sweetest taste.
Avoid overcooking Brussels sprouts at any cost; they'll taste bitter.
Aim to select heads of similar size, so they'll cook evenly.

Some preparation tips:

Halve sprouts and sauté them in a pan with olive oil and chopped bacon until brown crust develops. Then simmer until tender in chicken stock.
Shred sprouts by hand or in a food processor, sauté until crisp and tender, and drizzle with lemon juice before serving.
Boil whole Brussels sprouts until tender (do not overcook). Plunge in cold water bath, then toss with butter, salt, and pepper.
Toss whole with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and bake until crisp on the outside and cooked on the inside.
Slice and eat raw with olive oil, lemon juice, toasted almond slivers, and pecorino.

What tips do you have for preparing Brussels sprouts? Do you have a favorite method of cooking them?

Thanksgiving Side: Green Beans or Brussels Sprouts?

partysugar — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 01:30:22 -0800

Source

Tyler Florence Makes the Ultimate Dinner

partysugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:00:19 -0700

At Tyler Florence's demonstration at the NYC Wine and Food Festival, Florence taught the crowd how to make the ultimate birthday dinner. It was the exact dinner he made for his wife on her birthday! The boyishly handsome chef has had a busy year. Not only did his wife give birth to a baby girl, but he also released two new cookbooks, opened a kitchenware store in Northern California, and filmed an upcoming season of Tyler's Ultimate, all while making appearances and doing demonstrations.

His special dinner menu - which is ideal for the holiday season - consisted of beef tenderloin with Béarnaise sauce, Brussels sprout and fingerling potato hash, and carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. To see what Tyler had to say about this menu, read more.

Instead of a regular round cake, Florence recommends making a long, rectangular cake (I loved this idea and am doing it the next time I make cake). Pour the cake batter into a large cookie sheet. Bake as you would any cake. Remove from the oven and cut into three even rectangles. Layer frosting between the pieces.
Beef tenderloin is a great cut of meat when feeding a crowd.
"Color equals flavor." To maximize the flavor of the beef, Tyler sears it in a smoking pan. Then he roasts it in the oven until finished.
Always add fresh herbs. Dried herbs don't do much to a dish. Fresh herbs, on the other hand, make a dish fragrant and delicious.
Be cleaver with garnishes. Florence refers to the process of making food beautiful as "culinary pyrotechnics."
Make the Béarnaise sauce in the blender. It's quick and easy.
For the fluffiest frosting, always stir or mix with a wire whisk.
Take the beef out of the oven when the temperature reads 125°F. While the meat rests, its temperature will rise to 130°F.

What's your go-to menu for special occasions? What do you think of Tyler Florence's menu and tips?

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Would You Rather Eat Beets or Brussels Sprouts?

YumSugar — Sun, 04 May 2008 01:29:47 -0700

This week our Top Chef contestants had to cook for a group of kids. Surprisingly both beets and brussels sprouts were used as ingredients. Both of these foods are notoriously unpopular with children, and yet came out as a hit. So tell me, if you had to choose, would you end up eating beets or brussels sprouts?

Source

Come Party With Me: Vegetarian Thanksgiving - Menu (Part 2)

partysugar — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:28:33 -0800

No Thanksgiving is complete without a smorgasbord of sides to choose from, and this meat-free menu is no exception. There's no bacon, sausage, or pancetta to be found in these scrumptious side dishes, so vegetarians get your plates ready! All of these dishes pair nicely with the main dish: pumpkin lasagna. Start with a stuffing substitute in the form of a mushroom panzanella. Give mashed potatoes a gourmet makeover with caramelized shallots and fresh sage. Round out the menu with brussels sprouts and cranberry brown butter. Want a taste of these delicious recipes? Just read more

Mushroom Panzanella
From Michael Chiarello

Croutons:
1/4 cup unsalted butter
12 cups crust-free cubed day-old bread (1/2-inch cubes)*
3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan
Freshly ground black pepper
Dressing:
2 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 yellow onion, coarsely chopped
Sea salt, preferably gray salt
Freshly ground black pepper
6 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons warm water
Salad:
1/4 cup olive oil
1 pound fresh wild mushrooms, thickly sliced or quartered
2 tablespoons finely minced fresh thyme leaves
2 tablespoons finely minced garlic
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup thinly sliced celery heart (on the diagonal), plus some chopped leaves
1/4 red onion, very thinly sliced onion-soup style
2 ounces baby arugula or spinach leaves
Grated Parmesan

For the croutons: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large skillet over moderate heat and cook until it foams.
In a large bowl, pour the butter over the 12 cups cubed bread and toss to coat.
Sprinkle with Parmesan and freshly ground black pepper. Toss to season all of the bread.
Transfer the bread to a baking sheet.
Bake, stirring once or twice, until the croutons are crisp and lightly colored on the outside but still soft within, about 15 minutes.
Let cool. Croutons can be made 1 day ahead and stored in an airtight container.
For the dressing: Melt the butter in a small skillet over moderately low heat.
Add the yellow onion and saute until soft, about 15 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper.
Add the vinegar and stir with a wooden spoon to release any browned bits stuck on the bottom of the skillet.
Transfer to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. With the machine running, slowly add 1/2 cup of the olive oil, then the water.
Transfer to a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
For the salad: Heat a large skillet over high heat.
When hot, add 1/4 cup olive oil.
When the oil begins to smoke, sprinkle in the mushrooms. Don't stir! Let them sizzle until they have caramelized on the bottom, about 2 minutes. If you toss them too soon, they will release their liquid and begin to steam. When the bottoms are caramelized, toss the mushrooms, reduce the heat to moderate, and continue to cook until well browned.
Stir in the thyme and garlic and cook for about 1 minute to release their fragrance. Season with salt and pepper.
In a large bowl, combine the croutons, the mushrooms, and the onion dressing. Toss well to coat.
Add the celery, red onion, and arugula or spinach and toss again gently.
Taste and adjust the seasoning. Grate fresh Parmesan on top and serve immediately.

Note: For the croutons: use a serrated knife to remove the crust from day-old bread, then switch to a chef's knife to cut the cubes because it doesn't tear the bread. Grate the parmesan finely so that it will stick to the bread better.

Serves 8-10.

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Caramelized-Shallot and Sage Mashed Potatoes
From Bon Appétit magazine

2 lbs. Yukon Gold or russet potatoes (unpeeled)
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 cups thinly sliced shallots
1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage
1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
Salt

Place potatoes in large saucepan; cover with cold water. Bring to boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat oil in heavy medium skillet over high heat. Add shallots; sauté until tender, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium low; stir until shallots are golden, about 5 minutes longer.
Add fresh sage, white balsamic vinegar, and sugar; stir until caramelized, about 2 minutes. Set aside.
Drain potatoes well; cool slightly. Peel and mash potatoes; place in large saucepan. Over medium heat, dry out potatoes for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, heat milk in small saucepan until warm. Stir butter into potatoes. Add warm milk and stir until completely absorbed. Stir shallot-sage mixture into potatoes. Season with salt.

Serves 6.

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Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Cranberry Brown Butter
From Food & Wine magazine

4 lbs. Brussels sprouts, halved lengthwise
6 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 pound fresh or thawed frozen cranberries
3 tbsp. pure maple syrup
1 tbsp. finely grated fresh ginger
1-1/2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest
2 sticks (1/2 lb.) unsalted butter
1 large shallot, minced
1 tsp. chopped thyme

Preheat the oven to 400°F.
On two large rimmed baking sheets, toss the Brussels sprouts with the oil and season with salt and pepper.
Roast for about 40 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the sprouts are tender and browned in spots.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, maple syrup, ginger, and orange zest. Cook over moderately low heat, stirring, until the cranberries break down and thicken, about 10 minutes.
In a medium skillet, cook the butter over moderately high heat until deep golden, about 4 minutes.
Remove from the heat, add the shallot and thyme and stir into the cranberry sauce.
Transfer the butter to a bowl, add the Brussels sprouts and toss. Season with salt and serve.

Serves 12.

Make ahead: The cranberry brown butter can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Gently reheat the butter before tossing with the Brussels sprouts.

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